U.S. patent application number 10/668265 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-01 for electronic appliance.
Invention is credited to Nagai, Katsuharu, Takemoto, Yoshikazu.
Application Number | 20040061999 10/668265 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31982509 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040061999 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takemoto, Yoshikazu ; et
al. |
April 1, 2004 |
Electronic appliance
Abstract
An electronic appliance includes a first casing 1 having an
input portion 11, a second casing 2 having a screen display portion
21 on one face thereof, a coupling 3 that couples together the
first and second casings 1 and 2, and a controller portion that
controls screen display on the screen display portion 21. The
coupling 3 couples together the first and second casings 1 and 2 in
such a way that the state of the electronic appliance can be
selected between a first state in which the second casing 2 is
unfolded relative to the first casing 1 with the screen display
portion 21 pointing in the direction of the input portion 11 and a
second state in which the second casing 2 is folded over the first
casing 1 with the face of the second casing 2 opposite to the
screen display portion 21 facing the face of the first casing 1 on
which the input portion 11 is provided. According to detection
signals from detectors S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 that detect a change in
the state of the electronic appliance between the first and second
states, the controller portion rotates the screen display by
90.degree. between in the first and second states. An electronic
appliance includes a first casing having an input portion, a second
casing having a screen display portion on one face thereof, a
coupling, and a controller portion for controlling screen display
on the screen display portion. The first and second casings are
coupled together such that the electronic appliance can be moved
between a first state, in which the second casing is unfolded
relative to the first casing with the screen display portion
pointing in the direction of the input portion, and a second state,
in which the second casing is folded over the first casing with the
face of the second casing opposite to the screen display portion
facing the face of the first casing on which the input portion is
provided. When the appliance changes between the first and second
states, the controller portion rotates the screen display by
90.degree. between the first and second states.
Inventors: |
Takemoto, Yoshikazu;
(Tenri-Shi, JP) ; Nagai, Katsuharu; (Nara-Shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
31982509 |
Appl. No.: |
10/668265 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.07 ;
248/917 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1677 20130101;
G06F 2200/1614 20130101; G06F 1/165 20130101; G06F 1/162
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/683 ;
248/917 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 25, 2002 |
JP |
2002-278568 |
Sep 26, 2002 |
JP |
2002-281090 |
Dec 4, 2002 |
JP |
2002-351974 |
Dec 4, 2002 |
JP |
2002-352121 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic appliance comprising a first casing having an
input portion, a second casing having a screen display portion on
one face thereof, a coupling that couples together the first and
second casings, and a controller portion that controls screen
display on the screen display portion, wherein the coupling couples
together the first and second casings in such a way that a state of
the electronic appliance can be selected between a first state in
which the second casing is unfolded relative to the first casing
with the screen display portion pointing in a direction of the
input portion and a second state in which the second casing is
folded over the first casing with a face of the second casing
opposite to the screen display portion facing a face of the first
casing on which the input portion is provided, and wherein,
according to a detection signal from a detector that detects a
change in the state of the electronic appliance between the first
and second states, the controller portion rotates the screen
display by 90.degree. between in the first and second states.
2. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
coupling is a hinge mechanism comprising a folding shaft that
couples together one side of the first casing and one side of the
second casing in such a way as to permit the second casing to be
folded and unfolded relative to the first casing and a rotation
shaft that is perpendicular to the folding shaft and that permits
the second casing to rotate.
3. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
second casing has a second screen display portion provided on the
surface thereof opposite to the screen display portion.
4. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein, as seen
in a plan view in the second state, the second casing and the
coupling are located within an area occupied by the first
casing.
5. The electronic appliance according to claim 4, wherein the first
casing, as seen in a plan view, is rectangular in shape, and
measures 70 to 100 mm in a direction of shorter sides thereof and
110 to 150 mm in a direction of longer sides thereof.
6. The electronic appliance according to claim 5, wherein, as seen
in a plan view in the second state, a ratio of a dimension of the
coupling to a dimension of the second casing in the direction of
the shorter sides is in a range from 1:5 to 1:8.
7. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, further
comprising: a rotation inhibition input portion that inhibits the
screen display from being rotated by 90.degree..
8. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein, in the
second state, input signals from at least part of the input portion
are ignored.
9. The electronic appliance according to claim 8, wherein, in the
second state, input signals from a part of the input portion
located in an edge portion of the first casing and away from the
coupling are ignored.
10. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
screen display portion is rectangular in shape, and carriage
returns in contents of the screen display are executed at different
positions between in the first and second states according to a
height and a width of the screen display portion that vary between
in the first and second states.
11. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein the
detector detects the second state.
12. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein a change
in the state of the electronic appliance is detected by use of two
or more detectors, and a not-in-use state in which the second
casing is folded over the first casing with the face of the second
casing on which the screen display portion is provided facing the
face of the first casing on which the input portion is provided is
also detected, and wherein, in the not-in-use state, the screen
display portion is distinguished.
13. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the detectors is provided at where the first and second
casings are coupled together.
14. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the detectors is realized with a hole device.
15. The electronic appliance according to claim 1, wherein an
operation portion that permits operations to be performed to
control contents of the screen display is provided in a right-hand
portion of a rear face of the first casing as seen from in front
when the electronic appliance is in the first state, and wherein,
when the state of the electronic appliance is changed from the
first state to the second state, the screen display is rotated
counter-clockwise by 90.degree. as seen from the coupling, and the
operation portion is located in an upper portion of a left-hand
side face of the electronic appliance when the electronic appliance
is used in the second state.
16. A method of using an electronic appliance, comprising the step
of: presenting information to a third party by using the electronic
appliance according to claim 11 in such a way that the screen
display portion is rotated from the first state, in which the
screen display portion points in the direction of the input
portion, into a direction in which the face of the second casing
opposite to the screen display portion points in the direction of
the input portion so that the screen display portion points toward
the third party.
17. An electronic appliance comprising a first casing, a second
casing, a coupling that couples together the first and second
casings, and a flexible connecting member that electrically
connects together the first and second casings, wherein the
coupling is a two-axis hinge mechanism comprising a folding shaft
that permits the second casing to be folded and unfolded relative
to the first casing and a rotation shaft that is perpendicular to
the folding shaft and that permits the second casing to rotate, and
wherein the flexible connecting member is wound around surfaces of
both the folding shaft and rotation shaft.
18. The electronic appliance according to claim 17, wherein, in at
least one of the folding shaft and rotation shaft, a groove is
formed through which to lay the flexible connecting member along
the shaft.
19. The electronic appliance according to claim 17, wherein the
flexible connecting member includes a portion that is so shaped
that a first wound portion wound around the folding shaft and a
second wound portion wound around the rotation shaft are laid
substantially parallel to each other with one ends of the first and
second wound portions linked together with a straight middle
portion.
20. The electronic appliance according to claim 17, wherein the
flexible connecting member is a flexible printed circuit board.
21. The electronic appliance according to claim 17, wherein, as the
flexible connecting member, two or more flexible connecting members
are laid on one another.
22. The electronic appliance according to claim 21, wherein at
least one ends of the two or more flexible connecting members are
laid so as to point in a same direction.
23. The electronic appliance according to claim 21, wherein at
least one ends of the two or more flexible connecting members are
laid so as to point in opposite directions.
24. The electronic appliance according to claim 21, wherein two
slits are formed in one flexible connecting member and two
tongue-like protrusions not greater than the slits are formed on
another flexible connecting member so that the flexible connecting
members are bundled together with the tongue-like protrusions
inserted in the slits.
25. The electronic appliance according to claim 17, wherein a
screen display portion is provided on at least one face of the
second casing, and a portion of the flexible connecting member
located inside the second casing is laid between a rear face of the
screen display portion and an inner face of the second casing.
26. An electronic appliance comprising a first casing, a second
casing, a coupling that couples together the first and second
casings, and a flexible connecting member that electrically
connects together the first and second casings, wherein the
coupling is a two-axis hinge mechanism comprising a folding shaft
that permits the second casing to be folded and unfolded relative
to the first casing and a rotation shaft that is perpendicular to
the folding shaft and that permits the second casing to rotate, at
least one of the folding shaft and rotation shaft being made
hollow, and wherein the flexible connecting member is formed into a
coil-like shape and laid inside whichever of the folding shaft and
rotation shaft is hollow, and is wound around a surface of
whichever of the folding shaft and rotation shaft is not
hollow.
27. The electronic appliance according to claim 26, wherein the
flexible connecting member is a flexible printed circuit board.
28. The electronic appliance according to claim 26, wherein, as the
flexible connecting member, two or more flexible connecting members
are laid on one another.
29. The electronic appliance according to claim 28, wherein at
least one ends of the two or more flexible connecting members are
laid so as to point in a same direction.
30. The electronic appliance according to claim 28, wherein at
least one ends of the two or more flexible connecting members are
laid so as to point in opposite directions.
31. The electronic appliance according to claim 28, wherein two
slits are formed in one flexible connecting member and two
tongue-like protrusions not greater than the slits are formed on
another flexible connecting member so that the flexible connecting
members are bundled together with the tongue-like protrusions
inserted in the slits.
32. The electronic appliance according to claim 26, wherein a
screen display portion is provided on at least one face of the
second casing, and a portion of the flexible connecting member
located inside the second casing is laid between a rear face of the
screen display portion and an inner face of the second casing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic appliance,
and more particularly to an electronic appliance having two casings
coupled together by a coupling.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In electronic appliances directed to mobile data processing,
such as PDAs (personal digital assistants), the compactness of the
appliances themselves counts most. Accordingly, in such appliances,
compactness is achieved by providing operated members such as a jog
dial and key tops, for example, around a display screen or on side
faces of the appliances so that operations such as selection of or
decision on a choice or message displayed on the screen (such
operations will hereinafter be referred to also as
"selection/decision operations") are performed by use of those
operated members.
[0005] On the other hand, in recent years, it has been becoming
increasingly common not only to receive data but to transmit data
by use of mobile data processing appliances. In conventional
appliances, input of characters is achieved either by selecting and
inputting one character after another by selection/determination
operations as mentioned above or by inputting characters via a
display screen having a transparent touch panel fitted thereto by
use of a pen. In either way, it takes time and trouble to input
characters. Characters can easily be input by use of a keyboard,
but, where appliances need to be compact, it is not possible to
secure on a surface of the appliances an ample area to provide a
keyboard in. This inevitably results in small keys and a narrow
key-to-key pitch, and thus makes it difficult for the user to input
characters by use of those keys.
[0006] To overcome this problem, Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2001-268613 proposes building a data processing
appliance with an upper half portion and a lower half portion so
that, when input is performed by use of a keyboard portion, the
upper and lower half portions are unfolded and, when input is
performed by selection/determination operations, the upper and
lower half portions are folded together.
[0007] In general, where input is performed by use of a keyboard,
an appliance that is laterally elongate is preferable from the
viewpoints of key arrangement and ease of input. Moreover, in
general, the screen on which the input characters and symbols are
displayed is easier to view when it is laterally elongate. By
contrast, where input is performed by selection/determination
operations, since such operations are performed with an appliance
held in one hand, an appliance that is longitudinally elongate is
preferable because it is then easier to hold on a palm and use.
[0008] However, the structure proposed in the aforementioned patent
publication does not permit the appliance to be used from different
directions. Thus, when the appliance is used in the laterally
elongate orientation, it is easy to use the keyboard, but it is
difficult to perform selection/determination operations. By
contrast, when the appliance is used in the longitudinally elongate
orientation, it is easy to perform selection/determination
operations, but it is difficult to use the keyboard.
[0009] In an appliance as described above that has a foldable and
rotatable screen display portion, one way to electrically connect
the main portion to the screen display portion is to use leads.
When leads are used, they are typically laid through a hollow
shaft. With this wiring method, however, as the number of leads
increases, the shaft needs to be made thicker. This,
disadvantageously, makes the hinge mechanism as a whole unduly
large.
[0010] Another way to electrically connect the main portion to the
screen display portion is to use an FPC (flexible printed circuit)
board. An FPC board is thin even when it has several tens of
conductors, and thus its use helps make the hinge mechanism
compact. On the other hand, an FPC board is made so long as to
permit the folding and rotating movement of the screen display
portion, and therefore, for example when the screen display portion
is folded over the main portion, the margin portion of the FPC
board becomes loose. When the FPC board becomes loose, it is prone
to deteriorate by making frequent contact with members provided
around. Moreover, to prevent the FPC board from popping out, it is
necessary to secure inside an appliance a space to accommodate the
loose portion of the FPC board. This makes difficult to make the
appliance compact.
[0011] To overcome this inconvenience, for example, Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. H10-290084 discloses a technique whereby
a plurality of FPC boards having different lengths are laid on one
another and are wound around a hinge shaft. This helps eliminate
the looseness resulting from the differences in inner diameter
between the individual FPC boards when they are wound around the
hinge shaft. This technique is based on the technique of winding an
FPC board around a hinge shaft, which technique is effective in
eliminating the looseness of the FPC board that occurs as the
screen display portion is rotated.
[0012] According to the technique disclosed in the aforementioned
patent publication, however, an FPC board is wound around a
rotation shaft (24) but not around a folding shaft (not
illustrated). In a video camera apparatus or the like, where the
screen display portion can only be unfolded to 90.degree. relative
to the main portion as illustrated in the aforementioned patent
publication, even if an FPC board is not wound around the folding
shaft, the looseness of the FPC board when the screen display
portion is folded over the main portion is considered to be
negligibly small. However, in a case where the screen display
portion is unfolded to, for example, over 180.degree., how to deal
with the looseness of an FPC board when the screen display portion
is folded poses a serious problem.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is a first object of the present invention to provide an
electronic appliance that permits easy input by use of a keyboard
and that in addition can be held in one hand for easy operation
when selection/determination operations are performed.
[0014] It is a second object of the present invention to provide an
electronic appliance that has two casings coupled together by a
two-axis hinge mechanism and electrically connected together by a
flexible connecting member wherein even a rotation over 90.degree.
causes only a small displacement of the flexible connecting member
and thus only a little looseness.
[0015] To achieve the first object, according to one aspect of the
present invention, an electronic appliance is provided with a first
casing having an input portion and a second casing having a screen
display portion on one face thereof. Here, the first and second
casings are coupled together by a coupling in such a way that the
state of the electronic appliance can be selected between a first
state in which the second casing is unfolded relative to the first
casing with the screen display portion pointing in the direction of
the input portion and a second state in which the second casing is
folded over the first casing with the face of the second casing
opposite to the screen display portion facing the face of the first
casing on which the input portion is provided. Moreover, according
to a detection signal from a detector that detects a change in the
state of the electronic appliance between the first and second
states, a controller portion rotates the screen display by
90.degree. between in the first and second states.
[0016] Structured as described above, this electronic appliance can
be used in a laterally elongate orientation when input is performed
via the input portion, such as a keyboard, and can be used in a
longitudinally elongate orientation when input is performed by
selection/determination operations. This electronic appliance, as
compared with conventional ones, permits easy input by use of a
keyboard, and in addition can be held in one hand for easy
operation when selection/determination operations are
performed.
[0017] To achieve the second object, according to another aspect of
the present invention, in an electronic appliance, a first casing
and a second casing are coupled together with a two-axis hinge
mechanism having a folding shaft and a rotation shaft. Moreover,
the first and second casings are electrically connected together by
a flexible connecting member, with the flexible connecting member
wound around the surfaces of both the folding shaft and rotation
shaft.
[0018] Structured as described above, this electronic appliance
operates with a minimum displacement of the flexible connecting
member even when the second casing is unfolded or rotated to
180.degree. or further to 360.degree. relative to the first casing.
This helps make the hinge mechanism, and thus the electronic
appliance as a while, compact.
[0019] To achieve the second object, according to another aspect of
the present invention, in an electronic appliance, a first casing
and a second casing are coupled together with a two-axis hinge
mechanism having a folding shaft and a rotation shaft. Moreover,
the first and second casings are electrically connected together by
a flexible connecting member, and at least one of the folding shaft
and rotation shaft is made hollow. The flexible connecting member
is formed into a coil-like shape and laid inside whichever of the
folding shaft and rotation shaft is hollow, and is wound around the
surface of whichever of the folding shaft and rotation shaft is not
hollow.
[0020] Structured as described above, this electronic appliance,
like the one described immediately before, operates with a minimum
displacement of the flexible connecting member even when the second
casing is unfolded or rotated to 180.degree. or further to
360.degree. relative to the first casing. This helps make the hinge
mechanism, and thus the electronic appliance as a while,
compact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] This and other objects and features of the present invention
will become clear from the following description, taken in
conjunction with the preferred embodiments with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of how a
data processing appliance embodying the invention appears in the
not-in-use state;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the appliance, in a case
where a subsidiary screen display is provided on the second
casing;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of how the
appliance appears in the first state;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing how the state of the
appliance is changed from the first to the second state;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of how the
appliance appears in the second state;
[0027] FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams showing how the display on the
screen display portion changes when the state is changed from the
first to the second state;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of how a setting is
made in a setting screen to inhibit the screen display from being
rotated;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of the
detector used in the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another example of the
detector used in the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of how the
appliance is used;
[0032] FIGS. 11A to 11C are side sectional views of the appliance,
showing how the detector detects different states;
[0033] FIGS. 12A to 12C are side sectional views of the appliance,
showing how the detector of another type detects different
states;
[0034] FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams showing different modes in
which the electronic appliance shown in FIG. 1 can be used;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a front view showing an example of the two-axis
hinge mechanism used in the invention;
[0036] FIG. 15 is a plan view showing an example of the FPC
boards;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a plan view showing another example of the FPC
boards;
[0038] FIG. 17 is a partial plan view showing an example of how the
two FPC boards are bundled together;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing how the FPC boards are
assembled into the two-axis hinge mechanism;
[0040] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing only the FPC boards
shown in FIG. 18;
[0041] FIGS. 20A and 20B are sectional views of the rotation shaft
having the FPC boards wound around it as shown in FIG. 19;
[0042] FIGS. 21A and 21B are sectional views of the folding shaft
having the FPC boards wound around it as shown in FIG. 19;
[0043] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing how the first and second
casings are coupled together by the two-axis hinge mechanism shown
in FIG. 18;
[0044] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the electronic appliance
embodying the invention, as seen from the bottom; and
[0045] FIGS. 24A and 24B are perspective views showing another
example of the two-axis hinge mechanism used in the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] To achieve the first object, the inventors of the present
invention have conducted an intensive study in search of a way of,
in an electronic appliance in which a first casing provided with an
input portion such as a keyboard and a second casing having a
screen display portion provided on one face thereof are coupled
together by a coupling, permitting easy input via the input portion
and simultaneously permitting selection/decision operations to be
performed easily with one hand as conventionally performed. The
study has led the inventors to devise the present invention on the
basis of the novel idea that the aim is attained by designing the
appliance to be operable from different directions between when
input is performed via the input portion and when input is
performed by selection/decision operations.
[0047] Specifically, consider an appliance that is rectangular in
shape as seen in a plan view with its first and second casings
folded together. When input is performed via an input portion such
as a keyboard, the appliance is placed in a laterally elongate
orientation, then the appliance is unfolded, and then input is
performed via the input portion. This permits the keys themselves
to be made sufficiently large, and the key-to-key pitch to be made
sufficiently wide. This helps prevent erroneous input resulting
from a plurality keys being pressed simultaneously. On the other
hand, when input is performed by selection/decision operations,
after the appliance is unfolded, the second casing is rotated by
180.degree., then the second casing is folded over the first casing
with a screen display portion facing outward, and then the
appliance as a whole is rotated by 90.degree., so that the
appliance is used in a longitudinally elongate orientation. This
permits the appliance to be held in one hand and supported securely
therein. Then, as conventionally performed, input is performed by
selection/decision operations achieved by operating operated
members with the thumb of the hand holding the appliance, or by
touch or hand-writing operations achieved by touching or scribbling
on a display screen by use of a pen held in the other hand.
[0048] Hereinafter, data processing appliances embodying the
invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It
should be understood, however, that the examples described below
are not intended to limit the present invention in any way.
[0049] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing how an appliance
embodying the invention appears in the not-in-use state.
Specifically, in this state, a first casing 1 and a second casing 2
are folded together by a two-axis hinge mechanism (coupling) 3 with
the face of the former on which an input portion 11 (shown in FIG.
3) is provided facing the face of the latter on which a screen
display portion 21 (shown in FIG. 3) is provided. By bringing the
apparatus into this state, it is possible to protect the screen
display portion 21 and the input portion 11 from an external force
and the like. When the appliance is not being used, it is brought
into this state. In the appliance shown in the figure, the coupling
is realized with a two-axis hinge. However, in the invention, it is
possible to use any conventionally known type of coupling other
than that so long as it can switch the state of the appliance
between a first and a second state. As shown in FIG. 2, a second
screen display portion 22 may be additionally provided on the face
of the second casing opposite to the screen display portion 21.
This permits the user to obtain information such as the current
time, whether there is any received message or not, and the like by
viewing the second screen display portion 22 even when the
appliance is in the not-in-use state. Regardless of the size of the
second screen display portion 22, what is displayed thereon may be
handled in the same manner as what is displayed on the screen
display portion 21.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the appliance
appears in a first state in which the second casing 2 is unfolded
relative to the first casing 1 with the screen display portion 21
pointing in the direction of the input portion 11. The state of the
appliance can be changed from the out-of-use state shown in FIG. 1
to this state by rotating the second casing 2 about the A-axis
(folding shaft) of the two-axis hinge mechanism 3. The input
portion 11 is provided on the top face of the first casing 1. On
the upper left-hand side of the input portion 11, there is provided
a tact switch (detector) S.sub.1, which is turned on and off by a
projection (detector) T.sub.1 formed on the lower left-hand side of
the screen display portion 21 provided on the second casing 2.
Thus, the tact switch S.sub.1 detects the state of the appliance,
as will be described later. Moreover, the upper side of the first
casing 1 and the lower side of the second casing 2 are coupled
together with the two-axis hinge mechanism 3. On the surface of a
hinge cover 30 of this two-axis hinge mechanism 3, there is formed
a projection (detector) T.sub.2, and, in a position that is pressed
by the projection T.sub.2 when the second casing 2 is folded up,
there is provided a tact switch (detector) S.sub.2. Thus, like the
tact switch S.sub.1, the tact switch S.sub.2 also detects the state
of the appliance. Moreover, in a right-hand portion of the rear
face of the first casing 1, there are provided a jog dial 12a, a
seesaw-type key top 12b, and a single key top 12c (collectively,
operated members 12, shown in FIG. 5). In the appliance shown in
FIG. 3, the input portion 11 is shown as realized with a keyboard.
However, in the invention, it is possible to use any conventionally
known type of input portion other than that, such as a touch panel,
track ball, track pad, or pointing stick.
[0051] In this first state, the user can perform input via the
input portion 11, and the input signals are displayed on the screen
display portion 21. When the user performs input with the appliance
held in both ands, since the operated members 12 are located in a
portion of the rear face of the first casing 1 located within the
reach of the fingers of the right hand, the user may perform input,
decision, and other operations by use of those operated members 12,
as necessary. The operated members 12 play a central role in
performing selection/decision operations when the appliance is
brought into a second state.
[0052] Next, when selection/decision operations are performed, the
appliance is brought into a second state in which the second casing
2 is folded over the first casing 1 with the screen display portion
21 facing outward. Specifically, the state of the appliance can be
changed from the state shown in FIG. 3, where the second casing 2
is unfolded, into this state by first rotating the second casing 2
by 180.degree. about the B-axis (rotation shaft) of the two-axis
hinge mechanism 3 as shown in FIG. 4 and then rotating the second
casing 2 about the A-axis until it is folded over the first casing
1 (second state). Then, the appliance as a whole is rotated by
90.degree., so that the appliance is used in a longitudinally
elongate orientation. Here, to suit the direction from which the
appliance is used, the display displayed on the screen display
portion 21 is rotated by 90.degree. relative to that displayed in
the first state. This permits the user to recognize characters and
the like with the appliance in the a longitudinally elongate
orientation. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view showing how the
appliance appears in the second state.
[0053] When the appliance is used in the longitudinally elongate
orientation as shown in FIG. 5, it is held snugly in the user's
palm, and is far easier to use than when used in the laterally
elongate orientation. Here, in consideration of the size of the
palm of an adult user, it is preferable that the first casing,
which is rectangular in shape, measure 70 to 100 mm in the
direction of its shorter sides and 110 to 150 mm in the direction
of its longer sides. Moreover, in consideration of the relationship
between the rotational moment applied to the second casing and the
mechanical strength of the coupling, it is preferable that the
ratio x: y (shown in FIG. 5) of the dimension of the coupling to
the dimension of the second casing in the direction of the shorter
sides thereof as seen in a plan view in the second state be in the
range from 1:5 to 1:8, and more preferably in the range from 1:6 to
1:7. Moreover, it is also important that, as seen in a plan view in
the second state, the second casing 2 and the hinge mechanism 3 be
located within the area occupied by the first casing 1. This helps
enhance the operability and portability of the appliance. It is
particularly preferable that, as seen in a plan view in the second
state, the second casing 2 and the hinge mechanism 3 fit close
together without interstices between them so as to completely cover
the area occupied by the first casing 1.
[0054] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, as the direction from which
the appliance is used is changed, the display displayed on the
screen display portion 21 is rotated by 90.degree. relative to that
displayed in the first state so as to permit the user to recognize
characters and the like with the appliance in the longitudinally
elongate orientation. FIGS. 6A to 6D show examples of display on
the screen display portion 21. FIG. 6A shows an example of screen
display of horizontally running characters displayed when the
appliance is in the laterally elongate orientation (first state).
When the appliance is rotated by 90.degree. clockwise from this
state so as to be used in the longitudinally elongate orientation
(second state), the screen display is rotated by 90.degree.
counter-clockwise. This causes display as shown in FIG. 6B to be
displayed on the screen display portion 21, and thus permits the
user to view the characters in the right orientation.
[0055] FIGS. 6C and 6D are examples of screen display of vertically
running characters displayed when the appliance is in the laterally
and longitudinally elongate orientations, respectively. In a case
where characters run vertically, in the same manner as described
above, when the appliance is rotated by 90.degree. clockwise from
the laterally elongate orientation so as to be used in the
longitudinally elongate orientation, the screen display is rotated
by 90.degree. counter-clockwise so that the characters are
displayed on the screen display portion so as to permit the user to
view them in the right orientation. The screen display portion 21
has different widths between in the first and second states, and
therefore, for effective use of the display area of the screen
display portion 21, it is recommended that, as illustrated in FIGS.
6A to 6D, carriage returns or the like be executed at appropriate
positions to suit the actual width of the screen display portion
21.
[0056] On the other hand, the user may prefer not to rotate the
display on the screen display portion 21 even when the direction
from which to use the appliance is changed depending on the
situation in which the user uses the appliance. To cope with this,
a rotation inhibition input portion for inhibiting the 90.degree.
rotation of screen display may additionally be provided. As the
rotation inhibition input portion, for example, a setting screen as
shown in FIG. 7 is prepared to permit the user to inhibit via this
screen the rotation of the display on the screen display portion.
Alternatively, as the rotation inhibition input portion, a switch
may be provided in an appropriate position in the appliance to
permit the user to inhibit the rotation of display by turning the
switch on or off.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 5, when the appliance is used in the
longitudinally elongate orientation, in an upper portion of the
left-hand side face thereof are located the jog dial 12a,
seesaw-type key top 12b, and single key top 12c (collectively, the
operated members 12). These operated members 12 are so located as
to be operated mainly by the thumb of the user's left hand when the
appliance is held in the left hand. The jog dial 12a is used, for
example, to move a marker (cursor) up and down across a menu screen
to select a desired choice among those displayed thereon. The
seesaw-type key top 12b has two parts, of which one is used, for
example, to "decide on" a choice and the other, for example, to
"cancel" a choice. The single key top 12c is used, for example, as
a power key. Needless to say, input operations may be performed via
a transparent touch panel fitted on the screen display portion 21
with a finger or by use of a pen, or input by use of the operated
members 12 and input with a finger or by use of a pen may be
combined.
[0058] When the appliance is in the first state, the operated
members 12 are located in a right-hand end portion of the rear side
of the first casing 1, and therefore, while input is performed via
the keyboard in the first state, the operated members 12 may be
operated with the right hand to perform functions similar to those
described above. As the operated members 12, it is possible to
provide any conventionally known type of pointing device or the
like other than those mentioned above, such as a track ball, track
pad, or pointing stick. The operated members 12 may be assigned
different functions between in the first and second states.
[0059] In the second state shown in FIG. 5, when input is being
performed via the screen display portion 21 by use of a pen or with
touches, or when the appliance is being held in a hand, the
pressing forces exerted in such situations may deform the second
casing 2 and thereby cause it to touch the keys of the input
portion 11 located just beneath the second casing 2. This leads to
erroneous input. To prevent such erroneous input, when the
appliance is in the second state, it is preferable to ignore the
input signals from at least part of the input portion 11. Here, the
part of the input portion 11 denotes that part thereof which is
located just beneath the part of the second casing that bends
easily. Where this part of the input portion 11 is actually located
differs from one appliance to another, but, in general, it
corresponds to that part of the input portion 11 which is located
in an edge portion of the first casing 1 and away from the
coupling. Needless to say, to completely prevent such erroneous
input as described above, it is advisable to ignore all input via
the input portion 11 when the appliance is in the second state.
[0060] Next, how a change in the state of the appliance between the
first and second states is detected will be described. As a
detector, any conventionally known type may be used, such as a push
switch, a combination of a light-emitting and a light-receiving
device, or a hole device. The detector may be fitted anywhere so
long as it can detect a change in the state between the first and
second states. For example, the detector may be placed in a
position where it detects that the appliance is in the first or
second state, or in a position where it detects that the state of
the appliance is in the middle of changing between the first and
second states.
[0061] FIG. 8 shows one example of how an appliance embodying the
invention is fitted with a detector. In the appliance shown in FIG.
8, a light-receiving device 52 is provided on the bottom face of
the second casing 2, on one side of the B-axis, and a
light-emitting device 51 is provided on the face of the hinge cover
30 that faces the bottom face of the second casing 2. When the
appliance is in the first state, the light from the light-emitting
device 51 is detected by the light-receiving device 52. However,
when the second casing 2 is rotated about the B-axis, the
light-receiving device 52 moves away from the position where it
faces the light-emitting device 51, and thus the light from the
light-emitting device 51 ceases to be detected by the
light-receiving device 52. In this way, it is possible to detect,
according to whether the light-receiving device 52 detects light or
not, whether the second casing 2 is in the first state or not (in
the second state).
[0062] In another nonillusrated example in which an appliance is
fitted with, as a detector, a combination of a light-emitting
device and a light-receiving device, both the light-emitting and
light-receiving devices 51 and 52 are provided on one of the bottom
surface of the second casing 2 or on the hinge cover 30, and a
reflective member is provided on the other. In this example also,
as in the example described above, it is possible to detect,
according to whether the light-receiving device 52 detects light or
not, whether the second casing 2 is in the first state or not (in
the second state). Specifically, while, when the appliance is in
the first state, the light from the emitting-emitting device is
reflected from the reflective member and is detected by the
light-receiving device, when the second casing is rotated about the
rotation shaft, the light from the light-emitting device is not
reflected from the reflective member and thus is not detected by
the light-receiving device. In these examples, the display on the
screen display portion is rotated when the second casing is rotated
about the B-axis out of or into the first state.
[0063] FIG. 9 shows another example of how an appliance embodying
the invention is fitted with a detector. In the appliance shown in
FIG. 9, in a lower right-hand portion of the first casing 1 as seen
in the figure, a hole device 53 is embedded, and, in an upper
left-hand portion of the second casing 2, a hole device 54, which
forms a pair with the hole device 53, is embedded. When these hole
devices 53 and 54 come close together, they generate a signal.
Accordingly, when the appliance is in the first state as shown in
FIG. 9, no detection signal is generated. However, when the second
casing 2 is rotated by 180.degree. about the B-axis from the state
shown in FIG. 9, and is then rotated about the A-axis so that the
second casing 2 is folded over the first casing 1 and is thereby
brought into the second state, the hole devices 53 and 54 are so
located as to face one another, and thus generate a detection
signal. Accordingly, in this appliance, the display on the screen
display portion 21 is rotated when the second casing 2 is rotated
about the A-axis out of or into the second state.
[0064] In a case as described above where whether the appliance is
in the second state or not is detected with a detector, as opposed
to in the examples described earlier, even when the screen display
portion 21 is rotated about the B-axis to a desired angle, the
screen display is not rotated. For example, in the state shown in
FIG. 10, the screen display portion 21 has been rotated by
180.degree. so as to point away from the input portion 11. This
capability can be used to present information or a commercial
message to a third party with the screen display portion 21
pointing toward the third party while the user is performing input
via the input portion.
[0065] All the examples described above use only one detector.
Needless to say, an appliance may be fitted with two or more
detectors. In that case, it is preferable to detect not only a
change in the state of the appliance but also whether the appliance
is in a not-in-use state or not so that, if it is in the not-in-use
state, the screen display portion is distinguished. Now, an example
of an apparatus fitted with two detectors will be described.
[0066] In the appliance shown in FIG. 3, as described earlier, tact
switches S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 are provided on the first casing 1, on
the upper left-hand side of the input portion 11 and in a position
facing the hinge cover 30, respectively, and projections T.sub.1
and T.sub.2 are formed in the corresponding positions by the side
of the screen display portion 21 on the second casing 2 and on the
hinge cover 30, respectively. FIGS. 11A to 11C are side sectional
views along a plane that cuts the tact switch S.sub.1, and FIGS.
12A to 12C are side sectional views along a plane that cuts the
tact switch S.sub.2. The tact switches and projections may be
provided in any other positions than specifically described above;
however, it is preferable to provide a detector in a position on
the first casing facing the hinge cover 30 (where the first and
second casings are coupled together) because this position is
inconspicuous to the user and permits the tact switch S.sub.2 to be
pressed by the surface of the hinge cover 30 even if no projection
is formed thereon.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 11A, when the first and second casings 1
and 2 are folded together with the input portion 11 facing the
screen display portion 21 (in the not-in-use state), the tact
switch S.sub.1 has its pin pressed by the projection T.sub.1, and
thus the detection signal it produces is in an "on" state. When the
second casing 2 is rotated about the A-axis from this not-in-use
state, the pin of the tact switch S.sub.1 is released from the
pressure applied by the projection T.sub.1, and thus the tact
switch S.sub.1 is brought into an "off" state (FIG. 11B). As shown
in FIG. 11C, also in the second state, in which the second casing 2
is folded over the first casing 1 with the screen display portion
21 facing outward, the pin of the tact switch S.sub.1 is not
pressed, and thus the tact switch S.sub.1 remains in the "off"
state.
[0068] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the first and
second casings 1 and 2 are folded together, the tact switch S.sub.2
has its pin pressed by the projection T.sub.2, and thus the tact
switch S.sub.2 is "on." When the second casing 2 is unfolded by
being rotated about the A-axis, as shown in FIG. 12B, the pin of
the tact switch S.sub.2 is released from the pressure applied by
the projection T.sub.2. This permits the pin to move upward, and
thereby turns the tact switch S.sub.2 from "on" to "off." As shown
in FIG. 12C, also when the appliance is in the second state, the
pin is not pressed, and thus the tact switch S.sub.2 is in the "on"
state. Table 1 shows an overview of the relationship between the
detection signals generated by the tact switches S.sub.1 and
S.sub.2 and the state of the appliance.
[0069] As shown in Table 1, when the appliance is in the not-in-use
state, the tact switches S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 are both "on"; when
the appliance is in the first state, the tact switches S.sub.1 and
S.sub.2 are both "off"; when the appliance is in the second state,
the tact switch S.sub.1 is "off" and the tact switch S.sub.2 is
"on." In this way, according to the detection signals generated by
the detectors S.sub.1 and S.sub.2, it is possible to detect not
only whether the appliance is in the first or second state but also
whether the appliance is in the not-in-use state or not.
[0070] Preferably, this is exploited to turn on and off the screen
display portion 21 and switch the modes of screen display as shown
in Table 1. Specifically, when the appliance is brought from the
not-in-use state to the first state, the screen display portion 21
is automatically turned on, and, when the appliance is brought from
the first state to the second state, the screen display displayed
on the screen display portion 21 is rotated by 90.degree. relative
to that displayed in the first state. Reversely, when the appliance
is brought from the second state to the first state, the screen
display is rotated by 90.degree. in the opposite direction, and,
when the appliance is brought from the first state to the
not-in-use state, the screen display portion 21 is automatically
turned off. As modifications of this control, when the appliance is
brought into the not-in-use state, only the backlight of the screen
display may be turned off, or the power to the appliance may be
turned off, or, in the case of a PDA with communication
capabilities, application programs other than those relating to the
communication capabilities may be stopped. This helps reduce
unnecessary power consumption and thereby save energy.
[0071] Next, an electronic appliance embodying the invention which
achieves the second object will be described. FIGS. 13A, 13B, and
13C show the three states in which the electronic appliance shown
in FIGS. 1 to 5 is used. As described earlier, this electronic
appliance is a portable data processing appliance wherein a first
casing 1 provided with a key operation portion 11 and a second
casing 2 provided with a screen display portion 21 are coupled
together by a coupling (two-axis hinge mechanism) 3, with the
second casing 2 rotatable by approximately 180.degree. about the
A-axis and by 180.degree. about the B-axis relative to the first
casing 1. Needless to say, the second casing 2 may be made
rotatable by approximately 360.degree. about the A-axis relative to
the first casing 1; the second casing 2 may be made rotatable by
360.degree. in one direction about the B-axis, or rotatable by
180.degree. in both directions, i.e., clockwise and
counter-clockwise, about the B-axis so as to be rotatable by
360.degree. in total.
[0072] FIG. 14 is a front view of the two-axis hinge mechanism 3
used in the electronic appliance shown in FIG. 13. The two-axis
hinge mechanism 3 shown in FIG. 14 has a folding shaft 31 and a
rotation shaft 32. In a position slightly deviated from the middle
of the folding shaft 31 on the right-hand side thereof, there is
formed a through hole 311, into which one end of the rotation shaft
32 is rotatably fitted. On the left-hand side of the middle of the
folding shaft 31, there is formed a winding portion 312 with a
smaller diameter around which to wind FPC boards (not illustrated).
Between the through hole 311 and the winding portion 312, there is
formed a groove 313 in which to lay the FPC boards along the shaft.
This groove 313 also serves to absorb the looseness of the FPC
boards that occurs as the casing is rotated. On the other hand, as
described above, one end of the rotation shaft 32 is fitted into
the folding shaft 31. The other end of the rotation shaft 32 is
fitted to a frame 33. The rotation force applied to the second
casing 2 is transmitted via this frame 23 to the two-axis hinge
mechanism. In this two-axis hinge mechanism, since the distance
between the frame 33 and the folding shaft 31 is short, no
smaller-diameter portion or groove is formed in the rotation shaft
32. Needless to say, in a case where the distance between the frame
33 and the folding shaft 31 is long, a smaller-diameter portion
around which to wind the FPC boards and a groove through which to
lay the FPC boards along the shaft, like those formed in the
folding shaft 31, may be formed in the rotation shaft 32.
[0073] FIG. 15 shows an example of the FPC boards used in an
electronic appliance embodying the invention. The FPC boards 4
shown in FIG. 15 is composed of two FPC boards 4a and 4b laid on
each other with parts thereof bonded together. In the FPC boards 4
laid together, a first wound portion 41 to be wound around the
folding shaft 31 runs parallel to a second wound portion 42 to be
wound around the rotation shaft 32. A middle portion 43 runs
downward from the left-hand end of the second wound portion 42 and
links to the right-hand end of the first wound portion 41. Thus,
the portion starting with the first wound portion 41 and ending
with the second wound portion 42 is crank-shaped as a whole. On the
other hand, a vertical portion 44 runs vertically upward from the
right-hand end of the second wound portion 42, and, at the upper
end of the vertical portion 44, a horizontal portion 45 runs
horizontally rightward and leftward. At both ends of the horizontal
portion 45, there are formed connection portions 46a and 46b for
connection to the circuit wiring (not illustrated) inside the
second casing. The left-hand portion of the first wound portion 41
extends further leftward, and, at the left-hand end thereof, there
are formed connection portions 47a and 47b for connection to the
circuit wiring (not illustrated) inside the first casing.
[0074] The FPC boards may be given any shape so long as they can be
wound around the folding and rotation shafts and laid along those
shafts. The shape of the FPC boards is determined appropriately to
suit the structure of the two-axis hinge mechanism and the shapes
of the shafts. In a case where a smaller two-axis hinge mechanism
is used, it is preferable that the FPC boards be so shaped as to
have a first wound portion 41 and a second wound portion 42 laid
parallel to each other with one ends of the first and second wound
portions 41 and 42 linked together with a straight middle portion
43.
[0075] The FPC boards shown in FIG. 15 are composed of two FPC
boards laid on each other. This is to increase the number of leads
without increasing the width of the FPC boards. Accordingly, in a
case where only a small number of leads are used relative to the
width of the FPC boards, a single FPC board may be used. On the
other hand, in a case where a large number of leads are used, an
increased number of FPC boards may be laid on one another. It
should be noted, however, that, in a case where a plurality of FPC
boards are used, they need to be laid on one another in such a way
that the portions thereof (41 and 42 in FIG. 15) that are wound
around the folding and rotation shafts and the portions thereof
(43) that are laid along those shafts overlap completely. By
contrast, the other portions of the FPC boards than those mentioned
above need not overlap, but may be extended in desired directions
so as to be conveniently connected to their respective wiring
destinations inside the electronic appliance. With the FPC boards
shown in FIG. 15, in which the connection portions 46a and 46b are
so formed as to point away from each other by 180.degree., it is
possible to effectively use the space inside the appliance and
thereby make the appliance compact. In this case, the horizontal
portions 45a and 45b need not necessarily be formed to run from the
upper end of the vertical portion 44 to form a single line, but may
be formed in such a way as to have the connection portions in
horizontally deviated positions. On the other hand, as shown in
FIG. 16, the horizontal portions 451a and 451b may be formed to run
in the same direction (in the figure, rightward) so that the
connection portions 452a and 452b are located in the same
direction. This helps concentrate the circuit wiring in one place
inside the appliance. In this case, the horizontal portions 451a
and 451b need not overlap, but may be deviated from each other.
[0076] In a case where a plurality of FPC boards laid on one
another are used, at least parts of the FPC boards are bonded
together with a bonding member. In a case where, for example,
highly flexible FPC boards are used, they may be simply laid
together without use of a bonding member. Needless to say, the FPC
boards may be bundled together without use of a bonding member. For
example, as shown in FIG. 17, two slits 48 and 48' are formed in
one FPC board 4c, substantially parallel to the length direction
thereof. Moreover, another FPC board 4d is given a width equal to
or smaller than the interval between the two slits 48 and 48', and
tongue-like protrusions 49 and 49' having a width not greater than
the length of the slits are formed at both edges of the FPC board
4d. The two FPC boards 4c and 4d are laid on each other, and the
tongue-like protrusions 49 and 49' of the FPC board 4d are inserted
into the slits 48 and 48', so that the FPC boards 4c and 4d are
bundled together. Here, if the slits 48 and 48b' are given a length
greater than the width of the tongue-like protrusions 49 and 49',
the FPC board 4d is movable in the length direction relative to the
FPC board 4c. This makes it possible to absorb the looseness that
results from the differences in inner diameter between the
individual FPC boards when they are wound around a shaft.
[0077] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the FPC boards 4 shown
in FIG. 15 assembled into the two-axis hinge mechanism 3 shown in
FIG. 14. The FPC boards 4 are assembled into the two-axis hinge
mechanism 3, for example, in the following manner. The connection
portions 46a and 46b at both ends of the horizontal portion 45 are
connected to the circuit wiring (not illustrated) inside the second
casing 2. Next, the bent portion between the vertical portion 44
and the second wound portion 42 of the FPC boards 4 is put on the
rotation shaft 32 of the two-axis hinge mechanism, and then the FPC
boards 4 are wound 23/4 turns around the rotation shaft 32 in such
a way that, after the FPC boards 4 are so wound, the middle portion
43 thereof points right to the folding shaft 31. Next, the middle
portion 43 is laid in the groove 313 formed in the folding shaft 31
so that the FPC boards 4 runs along the folding shaft 31. Next, the
bent portion between the middle portion 43 and the first wound
portion 41 is put on the winding portion 312 of the folding shaft
31, and the FPC boards 4 are wound 2 turns around the winding
portion 312. Then, the connection portions 47a and 47b at the end
of the FPC boards 4 are connected to the circuit wiring (not
illustrated) inside the first casing.
[0078] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the FPC boards when they
are in the state shown in FIG. 18. FIGS. 20A and 20B are sectional
views of the rotation shaft and FIGS. 21A and 21B are sectional
views of the folding shaft, both having the FPC boards wound around
them as shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 20A shows a state in which the FPC
boards 4 are wound 23/4 turns around the rotation shaft 32.
Specifically, the point at which the FPC boards 4 start being wound
is indicated by "A" and the point at which they stop being wound is
indicated by "B." FIG. 20B shows how the FPC boards 4 are wound
around the rotation shaft 32 when, from the state shown in FIG.
20A, the second casing 2 (shown in FIG. 1) is rotated by
180.degree. clockwise relative to the first casing 1 (shown in FIG.
1). As will be clear from these figures, here, as the second casing
2 is rotated by 180.degree. clockwise about the rotation shaft 32,
the point "A" at which the FPC boards 4 start being wound also
rotates by 180.degree. clockwise, and thus the FPC boards 4 are
brought into a state in which they are wound 21/4 turns around the
rotation shaft 32.
[0079] FIGS. 21A and 21B are sectional views of the folding shaft
31 having the FPC boards 4 wound around it. FIG. 21A shows a state
in which the second casing 2 is unfolded relative to the first
casing 1. In this state, the FPC boards 4 are wound 2 turns around
the folding shaft 31. Specifically, the point at which the FPC
boards 4 start being wound is indicated by "B" and the point at
which they stop being wound is indicated by "C." FIG. 21B shows how
the FPC boards 4 are wound around the folding shaft 31 when, from
the state shown in FIG. 21A, the second casing 2 is folded over the
first casing 1. Here, as the second casing 2 is rotated by
180.degree. clockwise about the folding shaft 31, the point "B" at
which the FPC boards 4 star being wound also rotates by
180.degree., and thus the FPC boards 4 are brought into a state in
which they are wound 21/2 turns around the folding shaft 31.
[0080] In the electronic appliance shown in FIG. 18, the FPC boards
4 are wound in the shape of a coil. It is, however, also possible
to wind them into a spiral shape. To minimize the portion where the
FPC boards are wounded, it is preferable to wind them in the shape
of a coil. Winding the FPC boards in the space of a coil, as
compared with winding them into a spiral shape, helps greatly
reduce contact between the side edges of the FPC boards. This helps
alleviate contact-induced deterioration of the FPC boards and
thereby achieve a long life time.
[0081] In this way, in a structure in which the FPC boards are
wound around the folding and rotation shafts, folding/unfolding or
rotating the second casing relative to the first casing causes only
slight changes in the diameters with which the FPC boards are wound
around the folding and rotation shafts. This helps make the hinge
mechanism compact.
[0082] FIG. 22 shows how the first and second casings 1 and 2 are
coupled together by the two-axis hinge mechanism 3. FIG. 23 is a
perspective view of this electronic appliance, as seen from the
bottom face. In FIG. 22, the portion of the FPC boards 4 located
inside the second casing is laid so as to overlap a lower portion
of the screen display portion 21. As will be understood from FIG.
23, first, the screen display portion 21 is mounted on a front
member 2a of the second casing 2 so as to show through an opening
(not illustrated) formed therein. Next, the horizontal portion 45
of the FPC boards 4 is placed in a lower portion of the rear face
of the screen display portion 21, and the connection portions 46a
and 46b are connected to connection portions 201 and 202,
respectively, of the second casing 2. Then, a rear member 2b of the
second casing 2 is fitted to the front member 2a. Conventionally,
in a lower portion inside the second casing 2 is secured a
dedicated space for connecting and accommodating one ends of the
FPC boards, and the screen display portion is arranged above that
space. By contrast, in the structure being discussed, laying the
FPC boards 4 between the rear face of the screen display portion 21
and the inner surface of the rear member 2b of the second casing 2
eliminates the need for a space for accommodating the FPC boards 4.
This permits the screen display portion 21 to be moved toward the
hinge mechanism inside the second casing 2. This makes it possible
to make the second casing compact.
[0083] Next, another electronic appliance embodying the invention
will be described. This electronic appliance differs from the one
described above in that at least one of the folding and rotation
shafts is made hollow so that a flexible connecting member is
formed into a spiral shape and laid inside whichever of the folding
shaft and rotation shaft is hollow, and is wound around a surface
of whichever of the folding shaft and rotation shaft is not
hollow.
[0084] FIGS. 24A and 24B show an example of the hinge mechanism
used in this electronic appliance. FIGS. 24A and 24B are
perspective views that show an insertion tube T that is inserted
inside the folding and rotation shafts, which are both made hollow,
along with FPC boards 4 laid inside the insertion tube T. The
insertion tube T is composed of a transverse long tube T.sub.1
having a short tube T.sub.2 connected vertically to the middle
thereof, and is cut into two parts along a plane that includes the
axes of the long and short tubes T.sub.1 and T.sub.2, so that the
FPC boards 4, of which parts are previously wound into the shape of
a coil, are laid inside the insertion tube T (FIG. 24A). Used as
the FPC boards 4 here are those shown in FIG. 15. The FPC boards 4
may be wound in any manner, for example into a spiral shape.
However, from the viewpoint of minimizing rubbing between the side
edges of the FPC boards 4, it is preferable to wind them into the
shape of a coil. Next, the two separate parts of the insertion tube
T are bonded together, for example, with a bonding member (not
illustrated) (FIG. 24B). Then, the insertion tube T is fitted
inside the folding and rotation shafts (neither is illustrated),
which are made hollow.
[0085] With the hinge mechanism structured as described above, just
as in the example described earlier, folding/unfolding or rotating
the second casing relative to the first casing causes only slight
changes in the diameters with which the FPC boards are wound around
the folding and rotation shafts. This helps make the hinge
mechanism more compact than ever.
[0086] In the electronic appliance shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, both
the folding and rotation shafts are made hollow. Needless to say,
it is also possible to make only one of those shafts hollow and
leave the other solid. In this case, the FPC boards are wound into
the shape of a coil and laid inside the hollow shaft, and are would
around the solid shaft.
1 TABLE 1 Tact Switches Appliance State S.sub.1 S.sub.2 Screen
Display State Not-in-use State ON ON OFF First State OFF OFF ON
Rotated by 90.degree. Second State OFF ON ON
* * * * *